Low Oxygen Saturation Level

[Fred's Dad]

Wondering if anyone has experienced low oxygen saturation levels?  I went to a pulmonary specialist for a consult on sleep apenea.  Took the pulse, blood pressure, etc. and then said "ohhh your oxygen saturation level is 84%.  Kind of low."  He then set me up for a sleep study.  Anyone else experience the same?

[suffer]

pete what's your email address? i have similar problem as yours with central chest pain during inhalation and continous progressive breathing problem for over 1.5 years and lots of other symptoms. please do drop me a line my email address ***@****

-Zoe

[Stac1984]

I was having severe insomnia due too over 9 years ago a serious fatal car accident, long story short, finally had a at home sleep study to rule out sleep apnea. The results from my sleep study were completely what I was not expecting. My O2 stats were dropping as low as 76% on room air, & my heart rate was critically dropping to 25 beats a minute to going critically high to 186 beats a minute. After, getting the results over the phone from my sleep doctor nurse, said there is no diagnosis of why your sleep study came back unormal, and doctor suggested stop my ativan 2mg that I took at night a long with Ambien 10mg, even though he didn't prescribe me at the time of the sleep study, to get a good sleep study test, and also put me on oxygen at 2L at night, I have hypertension diagnosed only in the last 4 months, other then that, I am not over weight, but weigh for my height, plus walk a lot, I am concerned because had a echo cardiac test done, came back normal except one thing minor showed, in 2 weeks having another echo & pulmonary breathing test done. Last night, I slept with no oxygen and even took my klonipin I take 3 times a day, to help sleep. And woke up this morning, feeling fine. I did have my primary doctor refer me to a new sleep doctor for a second opinion plus to have a consult, to have a sleep study done at their sleep building. I never did have any faith in my previous sleep doctor, due to just prescribing medications, but not getting to why still but more severe insomnia after 9 years & encountering my nurse calling & saying your oxygen is covered by your insurance, then long story short, it wasn't, but helps that I have worked in the medical field over 14 years, & new insurance wouldn't want a law suit, so contacted my health insurance, found out what exactly the nurse needed too do, called her back & said after I finish up with what I am doing, I will call your insurance & do what instructions I gave her, remind you now should of had oxygen over a week ago, called back same day & still said they wouldn't cover, so called Carelink which is who supplies oxygen & other medical supplies in my area, & to summarize, carelink did exactly what I told the nurse to do, & same day was covered from my insurance & delivered same day also. Contacted my health insurance & found out, the nurse working for my sleep doctor, first only attempted once to get my insurance to cover it, & other then that never called regarding what I asked her she needed to do from instructions from my health insurance, she lied. So, now you see why I asked my primary doctor to refer me to another sleep doctor for a second opinion & also, my insurance is investigating the situation & also I contacted a lawyer, & have a lawsuit, not for the money but being prior working in the medical field, I want to sue both my sleep doctor & his nurse, for neglect & also lying saying by my nurse working for my sleep doctor, were very  concerned about your sleep study results & also having no diagnosis, that she said were quote word for word, " TO GET YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE TO COVER YOUR OXYGEN, WE NEED TO SCHEDULE A ECHO & PULMONARY TEST, THEN AFTER STATED ABOVE, AFTER RECORDING OUR CONVERSATION'S, TO MAKE MY SITUATION WORSE, TRIED STATING NO I DIDNT STATE HAD THOSE TESTS SCHEDULED JUST TO HAVE YOUR INSURANCE COVER YOUR OXYGEN BUT ALSO BECAUSE YOUR DOCTOR IS VERY CONCERNED, LIE NUMBER TWO. SINCE, THE FIRST DAY ALSO RECORDED, STATING OXYGEN ALREADY COVERED, ME BEING VERY CONCERNED ASKED WHATS NEXT, NURSE SAID HE WANTS YOU TO HAVE AT HOME SLEEP STUDY REDONE IN 6 WEEKS. YEAH, NOW I AM HAVING A LAWSUIT & PURSING IT, BECAUSE THE DOCTOR & NURSE SHOULD LOSE THEIR LICENSE. ***QUESTION IS, DOES ANYONE KNOW, NOW AFTER A MONTH ON 3L OF OXYGEN NOT 2L, CAN TOO MUCH OXYGEN HAVE LONG TERM EFFECTS BEING SO YOUNG & IF I FIND OUT I NEVER NEEDED OXYGEN AT NIGHT, CAN IT EFFECT ME ANYWAY?? THANKS

[kimhutcheson]

My father-in-law just had the same reading.  The Dr ordered a pulse-ox monitor to be brought out by a nurse, and he wore it all night.  Then nurse came and picked it up the next day.  Today they brought oxygen out and he wears it during sleeping hours to help him feel better.  
Check with your Dr, ask him or her about your concerns and how you feel.

[entrepeneur]

I too had a low oxygen level reading of 84. My dr immediately put me in the hospital to be monitored. I stayed overnight with intravenous and the whole nine yards. I did have a lung infection at the time. The reason being is I have copd. From what I understand it used to be that 90 was acceptable for an oxygen reading depending on whether you have lung problems smoke etc. Now they want your reading to be 100. That is for a normal person who is in excellent condition non smoker etc. Remember your oxygen level does go up and down daily like your blood pressure depending on your activity level. The point of the reading is if it goes down it comes back up to an acceptable reading 90 preferably or more.YOu don't want a constant low reading. I went to rehab for exercises to improve lung function and was monitored and the oxygen level would go down and up depending on what I was doing at the time. So now the bottom line is you want an acceptable blood pressure and oxygen reading when you are checked. Just one more thing to worry about.

[BILL13]

I have low oxygen saturation (88-93).  So far I have taken pulmonary function test, blood work, Chest CT scan, heart echo and another sleep test.  i have heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea.

I am not sure what is happening.  I am short of breath and sleeply all the time.  Everybody seems like I should be on oxygen but my doctor is first trying to find out why I have low oxygen saturation.

Any ideas what is going on?

Bill

[teigan]

HI NOT TO WORRY YOU OR ANYTHING, but your sleepiness is a sign of lack of energy and oxygen, shortness of breath is deffinatley to do with your heart disease and lungs, as you have heart disease you heart has to work faster than normal which will make you more out of breathe! have you been checked out for copd? have you had time in hospital treatment and had your blood gases done at all?i dont see 88/93% been that low, my dad has copd his sats go to 59% now thats something to worry about

[starion]

It is BAD for your body to have oxygen saturation levels below 90% for an extended period of time, as it stresses your body and organs, including your heart.  Under Medicare & most insurers in the US, you qualify for supplemental O2 if your oxygen saturation levels drop to 88% or lower during sleep, exertion or sitting.  Your doctor should prescribe it & you should use it as prescribed.

Folks who have sleep apnea need a device/machine such as a bi-pap or c-pap to help keep their airway open while they sleep and may not need supplemental oxygen.  A good sleep clinic should be able to test to be sure that you have the device that keeps your oxygen at or above 90% and any needed supplemental oxygen.

Losing a significant amount of weight (10%) in overweight patients may help with sleep apnea.  The sleep clinic or physicians may have additional suggestions.

Saturation levels between 95-100% at sea level are considered "normal."  At 5000 feet elevation, oxygen saturation rates between 90-95% are considered "normal."  Saturation levels can & do fluctuate a bit, but should still be maintained at or above 90%.  During infections, it is possible for patients to need supplemental oxygen and once the infection is over no longer need it, but that's something the doctor needs to decide.

It is not normal for folks with healthy lungs to have trouble keeping their oxygen saturation level above 95 % all of the time and the root cause definitely needs to be explored.  Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sleep apnea are all some reasons folks have trouble keeping their saturation levels at or above 90%; your doctor can help sort all of this out if you persist and work with him/her.

[Kaia RN]

Hi, I just wanted to put my 2 bits in.    To me, 84-88% oxygen sats is pretty low.  According to what we've been told 96 or above is normal, usually 98+ but then 92-95 can be dead normal if you are elderly or chronically diseased in some way (emphysema, heart disease, sleep apnoea etc etc.)  So yeah, below 90 is a worry, the doctors are probably so used to it that they don't react anymore!

The other thing I wanted to say was with supplementing oxygen, this can be problematic when emphysema is involved.  Usually, when our brain detects high levels of carbon dioxide, it triggers us to breathe.  However, people with emphysema operate differently.  because they retain so much CO2 (as they can't fully empty their lungs), their brain's signal to breathe is low levels of oxygen (rather than high CO2).  This can be problematic when supplementing oxygen therapy as it can have the opposite effect.  I can see that causing arguments between a doctor and someone who desperately needs oxygen!

[RGreen454ss]

My Wife is currently in the hospital for the 3rd time in the last 3 years for low O2 Saturation. The only time this happens is when she gets a cold. Doctors can't seem to figure it out and each time she goes she gets diagnosed with something else. When I took her to the ER yesterday, her O2 Sat. was 84% and her HR was 154. The last time she was at the hospital she was there for 6 days and was released when her O2 Sat. was 94 without Oxygen. Has anyone dealt with this situation? My E-mail address is ***@****. Thank you for any replies.

[[email protected]]

What else can this be? 6 months ago, my 62 year young twin went to have a shingles shot. Her GP did routine blood tests and called at 8:30 at night to have her undergo phlubotomy. SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTIOMS EXCEPT THE OXYGEN/diffusion - NO TIREDNESS,COUGHING,WHEEZING,SELLING IN ANKLES, CHEST PAIN,SHORTNESS OF BREATH.,Hemotologist did 1 1/2 months of testing and said not in blood, bone marrow, etc. Oxygen saturation was LOW, so placed on oxygen 24/7.   Blood gasses reflection low 02 and low CO2. Size of blood cells dropped below 50.  Sent to Pulmonologist. Low diffusion and saturation suggested COPD, but her lung function was 115% of normal (so very mild) Put on Advair and Spyriva...1 month later, diffusion dropped! But lungs were always clear, functioning at over 100%.  Sent for every test you can imagine - from CT angiogram, etc. to CT chest - no shunts, no embolisms, fibrosis,etc. Oxygen level at night 98% (no not apnea). After two ecocardiograms and a 5 bubble echos-no hole in heart. Pulminologist has ruled out COPD as a major factor due to her excellent lung function (lungs are very elastic, etc.) .  If it isn't her lungs, her bone marrow, or her heart, what elso can it be?
Remember it isn't a shut...she's been checked from her brain to her toes and all major organs...Help!

[dougr999]

Your sister is not alone.  I also have had all the tests, including a lung biopsy and none of the normal reasons for low diffusion, oxygen saturation and shortness of breath apply.  Everything else is essentially normal.  Let us know if docs can come to a concrete diagnosis.  I have just posted my condition on this site as well.  Good luck to your sister.

[WordGamer]

Could be something related to your heart too and not your lungs. If your heart isn't pumping effectively you could have low oxygen levels as well.

[raidermom74]

My 20 yr. ld daughter had her oxygen level tested at nursing school and it read a 91 first and then a 93.  They asked her if she smoked and she never has.  She is an avid runner and does cardio everyday.  She works in a fitness gym and is in perfect shape.  Should I be concerned?  What is a normal reading for this age?  Please let me know.

[andrea5]

I am 46 years old and have been in excellent health until recently.  I am a runner, swimmer, and I lift weights 2-3 times a week.  Running 3-4 miles 3-4 days a week.  Recently my running has become difficult due to shortness of breath.  I had a stress test.  Heart was O.K. but my oxygen saturation dropped to 87 upon exertion after 12 min. on the treadmill at a pretty steep grade.  Anyone else out there my age with this going on?  I do not have chronic bronchitis and am a non-smoker.

[cabeachgal]

Get the serum iron and ferriten levels checked.  A low oxygen level could be due to low iron that's NOT always detected by a HGB or HCT reading on a routine blood check and Dr's. don't usually run these tests. Also anxiety can lower your reading as well.  These saturation tests measure the amount of hemoglobin (oxygenated cells) that are flowing through your bloodstream.

Even with iron treatment the sats may be low, but that's where the anxiety level may be coming in, whether the fingers were cold when the test is taken, or various other factors.  I have a problem with iron where my body doesn't want to store it so I have to take an iron supplement daily.  

If you check your iron and everything is normal then you might want to check with a pulmonologist or another Dr. to be sure you don't have sleep apnea or a mild case of asthma, which these can also cause lower sats.

[banjo7]

  I had the sleep apnia test done. I was fine there but my oxgen level was 85. I now sleep with oxygen level No 2. I guess 2 liters. I slept great the 2nd night but now I am not and feel terrible I get up. I am a smoker and know I should quit but that is easier said then done. Is it the smoking that makes me feel so bad. No energy and I feel funny. I am 73 and felt better except for shortness of breath and taking naps before all this. I am also nauseaded. Help !

[pattimarzano]

I have Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.  The only way this can be diagnosed is by Right or Left Heart Catheterization.  It is a lung disease that results in right heart failure if left untreated.  It can be Primary or Secondary to something else that is going on.  My O2 levels are always 85 and below on room air.  I am on O2 24/7 at 3L and at 4L at night.  I have no sleep apnia.  My symptoms were shortness of breath on limited excercise, like climbing stairs or walking across the room.  Rapid heart beat.  Heaviness in my chest.  If you suspect you have this, PLEASE consult your doctor.  It is a killer.  It is high blood pressure in the lungs and high pressure in the pulmonary artery only.

[snelbert]

My Mother is 59yrs old. She has diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. She was diagnosed with pneumonia on 7/29/07 after being seen in ER for a high fever. She had no other symptoms at that time. Was given Z-Pak and sent home. Shortly after starting Z-Pak she starting coughing and aching all over and wheezing.  Over the last 3 months, she has been given Z-Pak 2 times, Keflex, Claritin, Mucinex, Advair and she is still not any better. Mucinex did loosen up phlem(sp) and has gotten up quite a bit of thick green phlem(sp), she was told that was her problem. On 10/29/07 she still was not better, if fact she has gotten worse over the past few weeks. That night she coughed so hard she turned purple. I took her to ER where her oxygen saturation was 82%,she was admitted and has been given several test including CT scan of Lungs, Pulminary Function Test and UltraSound of Legs to see if she has blood clots. She was put on O2 24/7, that night her breathing became more labored and O2 was put up to 6L and oxygen sat was 78%. She has gotten worse over the last few hours and now O2 is on 9L and oxygen sat is 75%. Does anyone know what the cause of this could be? The Doctors are not even sure what is causing this. Please help. Thanks

[caregiver222]

Okey dokey. There are several possible etiologies.It is necessary to know blood pressure and pulse rate to make any sort of comment. In the right and left carotid arteries there are two (count em) sensors, which provide feedback that controls the breathing and heart rate to produce an acceptable P02 level.  They also sense C02.  A failure of these sensors is a primary cause of low P02. Often these sensors become covered with fatty deposits, or become inactivated through constant excessive smoking. An ultrasound will sometimes (but not always) identify this anomaly. There are surgical and pharmaceutical options. There are several other possibilities. I would suggest getting a pulse oximeter (about$200) and then take an"albuterol challenger". A mean of differential diagnosis for those physicians who did not attend medical school in the Trobriand Islands. Spray an albuterol inhaler into the lungs and see if there is a significant increase in P02. This would suggest the problem is in the blood transfer mechanism in the lungs.

[snelbert]

Early this morning after posting this about my mother, I got called by her Nurse. My mother was admitted into ICU, her oxygen stat continued dropping, even with O2 on 9L. She is now on 100% oxygen 16L I believe, her oxygen stat is going up and down between 84-92, which is better. She is a non-smoker. Her pulse is 52, and her blood pressure is 139/72. Any ideas? Thanks

[jennyP]

I am 30 and had a cold about 6 weeks ago, and was having shortness of breath.  My resting oxygen sats are 93-96, but they did a bunch of tests including an echo, CT scan, pulmonary function tests, and chest xray.  They think I have COPD or emphysema.  I am freaking out.  My sats drop to high 80's during exertion, but they think this is very rare for my age.  I am exploring some holistic methods of treatment, I am still not convinced that I have emphysema..I have always been very active, and I think the stress of the doctors is making my condition as bad as it is!

[trudicv]

My doctor told me this week that my saturation level was 77.  I have has a soft, persistant ache in my heart for months now. I have asked my own primary care provider for an extensive evaluation of my heart and she reluctantly ordered a full exam next week. " I don't think this has anything to do with your heart.  If it doesn't then we will have to look into other possibilities." she said.  If it doesn't then we will have to look into other possibilities.  I am very, very anxious about this as I have severe sleep apnea and my husband is not supportive.  It has helped me a lot just to read the comments of others.  Trudi

[Sunny602]

I am glad that your doctor finally relented to doing tests on your heart. What tests did she order (hopefully a stress test and echo are included in them!). As for other considerations, a full PFT (pulmonary function test) should be done with at least an xray to begin with. This could easily be lungs or heart, even both. That ache in your heart could mean that there isn't enough oxygen going to that organ, it is starving for O2. Did your doctor put you on O2 based on those sats? I sure hope so....77 is pretty low.
Be very persistant with your doc, it is in your best interest to be your own best health advocate. IF she doesn't take you seriously, then it is time to find another doctor.
I am sorry that your husband isn't very supportive, I understand how you feel. My ex was not even close to being in my corner when I was going though all that I was....going on O2, then BiPAP and finally vented. Do you have family members or close friends that you can lean on during periods of uncertainty and anxiety?
One more question...are you being treated for your sleep apnea with either a CPAP or BiPAP. You probably are...I am wondering if you keep your sats up at nightime these days even with CPAP. Something to consider...
I hope that you get answers soon...Sunny

[irishr8911]

I suddenly became very sick mid december 2007 with short of breath my O2 was 57. I was at my docs office and she called an ambulance and I was admitted to the ICU for 4 days. I was put on 24/7 O2 which seems to help a bit. I have an underlying history of a heart arrythmia and also a blood clotting disorder Protein C/S deficiency. I was referred to a pulmonary doctor who is frustrated because I am not getting better even while being on a multitude of drugs. Also, because he feels I have COPD  but am not responding as he thought I would. I am pressing for another opinon since I was told I am already in end-stages of COPD and Right Heart Failure. My pulmo doctor isn't in agreement and thinks I should try more drugs and make more tests. Anyone else going through this?
Please let me know..
P

[cben]

I am a 46 yr old male I quit smoking 6 yrs ago smoked 2 packs a day like an idiot for 28 yrs. No offense to any still smoking. I quit smoking because I felt like I couldn't get a deep breath but every 5/6 breath.I waited until July 2007 to finally go to the doctor. My mother and brother have asthma and my Dr said I had it also. He also ordered a sleep study. I was told I had a mild cause of apnea. I have been using a c-pap and have lost 35 lbs  (down to 280 lbs). I understand the weight thing is not good. I took upon myself to get a oxgen  meter and have found my levels have dropped lowest 83 %  without  88% with c-pap. I have been walking 3 miles a day EVERY DAY and am determined to take the weight off. Shouldn't I be seeing some improvement. I have also had stress test ,lung function test and they came back great.  Blood Pressure runs 125/68 to 130/ 72 Pulse rates 59  to 68. I feel great but am concerned about low O2 levels. Sorry for long question but I have gotten conflicting reports from 3 Dr's. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

    

[Sunny602]

Are those levels low while you are doing anything such as walking? Or is this at rest? Either way, it wouldn't hurt to relay your findings to your doctor who might do an overnight oximetry test (monitors your O2 level the entire night) with CPAP on. If your levels are consitantly low, then you might need O2 bleed in with your CPAP. If your levels are low when you exercise, have the doctors monitor your oxygen levels while on a treadmill for a minimum of 6 minutes. Again, if the levels remain low, they may prescribe the O2. I am very happy to see that you have quit and are taking such an initiative in regaining your health and fitness..I know how hard that is to do. Over time, hopefully after you have dropped some more weight, your sleep apnea will get better. I have seen people come off of CPAP after significant weight loss, so please keep up the good work.
Hpe this helps...Sunny